Fool Soldier Scholarship

This scholarship was established in honor of 10 Teton Lakota young men who, in 1862, risked their lives to save a group of white women and children who had been taken captive during the Dakota Conflict. This scholarship was established for descendants of the Fool Soldiers by relatives of the captives they rescued. This scholarship offers multiple awards.

 

The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is proud to award more than 70 scholarships to deserving students each year. Whether you’re preparing to graduate from high school, wrapping up a general equivalency diploma, or working toward your undergraduate or graduate degree, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is proud to partner with passionate donors to administer a wide variety of competitive scholarships to help you achieve your educational goals.

The scholarship application window is December 15 – March 15.

Eligibility:

  • Scholarship may be awarded on Financial Need
  • Minimum high school GPA: 2.0
  • Applicants must be descendants of the Fool Soldiers.

 

Applicable Institutions:

ANY technical college or university

 

Questions:

Emily’s Hope Scholarship

Born on March 23, 1997, Emily Groth was a beacon of creativity, kindness, and resilience. Emily found expression in her art from an early age, whether through the unique pieces she crafted out of sticks, rocks, and leaves as a toddler, or in the paintings and pottery pieces she later sold on Etsy. Sadly, Emily’s promising life was cut short at the tender age of 21 due to fentanyl poisoning. Emily’s family channeled their sorrow into a meaningful cause: honoring Emily’s spirit, memory and passion for art. Part of their mission led to the creation of the Emily’s Hope Art Scholarship, a fund dedicated to supporting graduating seniors in South Dakota who are pursuing a degree or field of study in art, especially visual art.

 

The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is proud to award more than 70 scholarships to deserving students each year. Whether you’re preparing to graduate from high school, wrapping up a general equivalency diploma, or working toward your undergraduate or graduate degree, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is proud to partner with passionate donors to administer a wide variety of competitive scholarships to help you achieve your educational goals.

The scholarship application window is December 15 – March 15.

Field of Study Requirements:

  • Art (particularly visual art)

 

Eligibility:

Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Eligible majors/fields: art, visual art

 

Applicable Institutions:

ANY technical college or university

 

Questions:

Cogley-Buffington Certified Property and Casualty Underwriters Fund

This scholarship was created by the local Chapter of Certified Property and Casualty Underwriters in memory of Martin Cogley and Richard Buffington, who selflessly gave their time and energy to teach insurance and business courses to professionals in the Sioux Falls area. This scholarship benefits a graduating high school senior from the Sioux Empire who wishes to pursue an academic degree from an accredited institution and who demonstrates an interest in business.

The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is proud to award more than 70 scholarships to deserving students each year. Whether you’re preparing to graduate from high school, wrapping up a general equivalency diploma, or working toward your undergraduate or graduate degree, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is proud to partner with passionate donors to administer a wide variety of competitive scholarships to help you achieve your educational goals.

The scholarship application window is December 15 – March 15.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be graduating seniors from a high school in South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, or northwest Iowa
  • Minimum high school GPA: 3.5
  • Participation in school and community activities
  • Scholarship may be awarded on Financial Need

 

Applicable Institutions:

Any four-year college or university

 

Questions:

Addiction Resource Scholarship

The Drug Rehab USA Mental Health Scholarship is a beacon of support for aspiring mental health professionals dedicated to making a positive impact on individuals and communities. We believe in the transformative power of education and the profound influence mental health professionals can have on the well-being of society. The Drug Rehab USA Mental Scholarship is open to students enrolled in any mental health degree program, including but not limited to psychology, counseling, social work, psychiatric nursing, and other related fields. Applicants must be committed to making a difference in the field of mental health and demonstrate a passion for improving the lives of others.

 

TENTATIVE DEADLINE: April 19, 2025

 

Eligibility:

  • Eligible majors/fields: Psychology, Counseling, social work, psychiatric nursing and other related fields.

 

Applicable Institutions:

  • ANY technical college or university`

 

Questions:

  • Randy Palmer at 702-343-2538 or randy@drugrehabus.org

SDCA (South Dakota Corrections Association) Fallen Heroes Scholarship

College scholarship for someone majoring in the Corrections and/or related field. Eligibility requirements – enrollment in a college/university/technical institution, SD resident interested in corrections or human services field, involved in school or community activities, GPA, and need for award. All schools, but must be college, university, or technical college.

 

Eligibility:

Scholarship selection may be based on financial need. Eligible majors/fields: Corrections or Human Services field

 

Applicable Institutions:

ANY technical college or university

 

Questions:

JoAnna Mitchell at 605-394-2595 ext. 1314 or joanna.mitchell@ujs.state.sd.us.

Day Country Coyote Hunt

The Day County Coyote Hunt Scholarship Program has been established to award scholarships to immediate family (based on IRS Family Definition) of a current or former SD National Guard soldier & desire to further their education. Applicants must be 19 years of age or younger. You must be a graduating senior from an accredited high school during the year of application. This scholarship may also be granted to a family member of a SD National Guard soldier who is physically challenged as determined by the American Disabilities Act passed on July 25, 1990. Funds are granted through Day County Coyote Hunt. The number and value of scholarships awarded each year will be determined by the Day County Coyote Hunt Executive Committee. Only winners will be notified, and arrangement will be made for payment.

 

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be 19 years of age or younger.
  • Must be a graduating senior from an accredited high school during the year of application.
  • This scholarship may also be granted to a family member of a SD National Guard soldier who is physically challenged as determined by the American Disabilities Act passed on July 25, 1990.

 

Applicable Institutions:

ANY technical college or university

 

Questions:

Rick Williamson at 605-321-4935

First District Development Company Scholarship

First District Development Company, South Dakota’s small business finance partner, is pleased to offer five – $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing a post-secondary degree in a business/finance related field.To be eligible for a First District Development Company scholarship, you must be a US Citizen attending a South Dakota High School as a Senior. Students must be accepted into a business/finance program at an accredited, post-secondary institution in South Dakota.

 

Eligibility:

Scholarship requires minimum high school GPA of 3.50 to qualify.

Eligible majors/fields: Business/Finance

 

Applicable Institutions:

ANY technical college or university

 

Questions:

Amy Waite at 605-882-5115 or amy@1stdistrict.org.

The Cobell Undergraduate Scholarship

The Cobell Undergraduate Scholarship Opportunity is a non-renewable competitive scholarship that provides scholarship support to enrolled members of US Federally-recognized tribes with strong academic records who can demonstrate financial need and have not yet earned a four-year Bachelor’s degree. Available for students planning to attend a non-profit, public or private and accredited institution as a full-time degree seeking student. Duplicate degrees cannot be funded (i.e. No second Bachelor’s degrees). The award amount can be up to $5,000 a year for first time applicants, and up to $10,000 for returning Cobell Scholars. (Though requirements state that students must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA, a lower GPA may be considered)

 

Eligibility:

Scholarship selection may be based on financial need

 

Applicable Institutions:

ANY technical college or university

 

Questions:

Gary Pierce at 505-313-0032 or scholarships@cobellscholar.org.

Wokini Scholarship

First-time, transfer and graduate students are all eligible for the Wokini Scholarship. Students must be tribally enrolled in a federally recognized tribe in the United States, including Alaskan Natives, and provide tribal enrollment documentation. This scholarship is open to all majors.

 

Eligibility:

Applicants must be tribally enrolled in a federally recognized tribe in the United States.

 

Applicable Institutions:

SDSU

 

Questions:

Students interested in applying can use SDSU’s universal scholarship application form found at the included link. Questions can be directed to Lisa Schramm at 605-688-5393 or lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu.

Jackrabbit Guarantee Scholarship Program

The Jackrabbit Guarantee is awarded to first-time, full-time students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher. Amounts will vary between $1,000 to $4,000 annually based on high school merit achievements. Students interested in applying can use SDSU’s universal scholarship application form found at the included link.

 

Eligibility:

Scholarship requires minimum high school GPA of 3.00 to qualify

 

Applicable Institutions:

South Dakota State University

 

Questions:

Lisa Schramm at 605-688-5393 or lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu.